Item of Food Packaging

ABSTRACT

An item of food packaging is disclosed. The item of packaging comprises two opposing side panels and an inner chamber for holding food and is adapted such that when in use the side panels may be folded away from each other so as to form a tray.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

This application claims priority to Great Britain Application Number GB1009201.3 filed on Jun. 2, 2010, and International Application Number PCT/GB2011/051040 filed on Jun. 2, 2011. The present invention relates to an item of food packaging.

2. Prior Art

When transporting pre-prepared food from a takeaway, cafe, or the like there are often a number of problems. For example, the packaging in which the food comes may not be structurally stable, may not provide adequate separation between hot and cold parts of the food, and in particular may not allow for the food to be consumed in clean and simple manner.

Often, user's will remove the food from the package, and place the food on a plate or tray in order to continue consumption of the food. As such, café's and similar venues may provide their customers with disposable plates, trays, and other items in addition to the food packaging. One skilled in the art will quickly discern the additional costs the venue owner must endure by providing both packaging and plate/trays as well as the increase in waste associated with disposable items.

As a result, there is a continuing unmet need for a item for food packaging which seeks to address these issues.

The forgoing examples of related art and limitation related therewith are intended to be illustrative and not exclusive, and they do not imply any limitations on the invention described and claimed herein. Various limitations of the related art will become apparent to those skilled in the art upon a reading and understanding of the specification below and the accompanying drawings.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The device herein disclosed and described provides a solution to the shortcomings in prior art and achieves the above noted goals through the provision of an item of food packaging comprising two opposing side panels and an inner chamber for holding food, wherein the item of packaging is adapted such that when in use the side panels may be folded away from each other so as to form a tray. The provision of two opposing side panels that may be opened so as to form a tray allows for a user to readily create a tray from the packaging so as to aid consumption of the food contained therein.

In accordance with at least one preferred mode, the item of packaging is adapted such that when folding the side panels the inner chamber may simultaneously be ripped or folded open so as to provide access to its contents. By providing an arrangement wherein the inner chamber may be simultaneously be ripped or folded open so as to reveal its contents, consumption of the food is even more easily performed. In addition, by providing an arrangement wherein the inner chamber is simultaneously ripped or folded open so as to reveal its contents the item of packaging will be used correctly every time. Still further, the means for ripping can be provided by lines of weakness formed in the item, such as perforations or the like.

In accordance with at least one preferred mode, the item of packaging comprises a base located between the opposing side panels. The side panels and base are preferably substantially rigid. The provision of substantially rigid side panels and base, for example formed from card, provides for a better tray.

In one embodiment the base is formed from an underside of the inner chamber. In one other embodiment the base is formed in one piece with the side panels. In yet another embodiment the base is defined between the side panels by respective creases or scores. In still yet another embodiment the base is formed by a bend in the material between the side panels. In all embodiments, the provision of a base allows for the item of packaging to be easily placed on a surface without fear of it falling over.

In accordance with at least one preferred mode, the inner chamber is partly defined by two opposing walls, each wall being located between the side panels. In addition each wall preferably comprises at least one line of weakness. Further, each line of weakness preferably runs substantially parallel to the planes of the side panels when the inner chamber has not been opened. By providing lines of weakness that run substantially parallel to the side panels the chamber is easily ripped open as the side panels are folded out.

In accordance with at least one preferred mode, the inner chamber is defined by a bag positioned between the two side panels. Preferably the bag is attached to the two side panels and comprises four walls and a base. Opposing walls of the bag are preferably attached to the side panels by means of adhesive, however other suitable attachment means may be employed and are anticipated. It is noted that by forming the inner chamber out of a bag the item of packaging is easily manufactured and constructed.

According to yet another preferred mode of the present invention, there is provided a method of serving food comprising the step of providing an item of food packaging as described above.

With respect to the above description, before explaining at least one preferred embodiment of the herein disclosed invention in detail, it is to be understood that the invention is not limited in its application to the details of construction and to the arrangement of the components in the following description or illustrated in the drawings. The invention herein described is capable of other embodiments and of being practiced and carried out in various ways which will be obvious to those skilled in the art. Also, it is to be understood that the phraseology and terminology employed herein are for the purpose of description and should not be regarded as limiting.

As such, those skilled in the art will appreciate that the conception upon which this disclosure is based may readily be utilized as a basis for designing of other structures, methods and systems for carrying out the several purposes of the present disclosed device. It is important, therefore, that the claims be regarded as including such equivalent construction and methodology insofar as they do not depart from the spirit and scope of the present invention.

As used in the claims to describe the various inventive aspects and embodiments, “comprising” means including, but not limited to, whatever follows the word “comprising”. Thus, use of the term “comprising” indicates that the listed elements are required or mandatory, but that other elements are optional and may or may not be present. By “consisting of” is meant including, and limited to, whatever follows the phrase “consisting of”. Thus, the phrase “consisting of” indicates that the listed elements are required or mandatory, and that no other elements may be present. By “consisting essentially of” is meant including any elements listed after the phrase, and limited to other elements that do not interfere with or contribute to the activity or action specified in the disclosure for the listed elements. Thus, the phrase “consisting essentially of” indicates that the listed elements are required or mandatory, but that other elements are optional and may or may not be present depending upon whether or not they affect the activity or action of the listed elements.

The objects features, and advantages of the present invention, as well as the advantages thereof over existing prior art, which will become apparent from the description to follow, are accomplished by the improvements described in this specification and hereinafter described in the following detailed description which fully discloses the invention, but should not be considered as placing limitations thereon.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWING FIGURES

The accompanying drawings, which are incorporated herein and form a part of the specification, illustrate some, but not the only or exclusive, examples of embodiments and/or features. It is intended that the embodiments and figures disclosed herein are to be considered illustrative rather than limiting. In the drawings:

FIG. 1 shows a plan view of an outer container of an item of packaging made in accordance with a first embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 shows a side view of the outer container of FIG. 1.

FIG. 3 shows the outer container of FIG. 1 folded into different configurations.

FIG. 4 shows the outer container of FIG. 1 with strips of adhesive applied to it.

FIG. 5 shows in inner container of an item of packaging made in accordance with a first embodiment of the present invention to be used with the outer container of FIG. 1.

FIG. 6 shows a schematic cross-section of the inner container of FIG. 5 being positioned into the outer container of FIG. 4.

FIG. 7 shows a schematic cross-section of an assembled item of packaging comprising both the outer container of FIG. 4 and the inner container of FIG. 5.

FIG. 8 shows a first perspective view of the assembled item of packaging of FIG. 7.

FIG. 9 shows a second perspective view of the assembled item of packaging of FIG. 7.

FIG. 10 shows a plan view of the assembled item of packaging of FIG. 7.

FIG. 11 shows an end view of the assembled item of packaging of FIG. 7.

FIG. 12 shows the item of packaging of FIG. 7 in a partially opened position.

FIG. 13 shows the item of packaging of FIG. 7 in a fully opened position.

FIG. 14 shows a perspective view of an assembled item of packaging made in accordance with a second embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 15 shows a perspective view of an assembled item of packaging made in accordance with a third embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 16 shows a perspective view of an assembled item of packaging made in accordance with a fourth embodiment of the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS OF THE INVENTION

In this description, the directional prepositions of up, upwardly, down, downwardly, front, back, top, upper, bottom, lower, left, right and other such terms refer to the device as it is oriented and appears in the drawings and are used for convenience only; they are not intended to be limiting or to imply that the device has to be used or positioned in any particular orientation.

Now referring to drawings in FIGS. 1-16, wherein similar components are identified by like reference numerals, there is seen in the drawings, an item of packaging made in accordance with the present invention may be assembled from an outer container 1 and an inner container 2.

Referring to FIG. 1, the outer container 1 is formed from a sheet of card, although any other substantially rigid, or semi-rigid material might be used, and are anticipated. The outer container 1 preferably comprises two side panels 3, 4 and a base part 5 located between the side panels 3 and 4. The base part 5 is defined between the side panels 3,4 by respective creases 6, 7. In addition, the base part 5 is divided into two sections 8, 9 by crease 10.

Each side panel is divided into three sections by the presence of two creases per section. Thus each side panel is divided into main side walls 11, 12, middle side parts 15, 16 and handle parts. A crease 13 provides a line of flexibility between the side wall 11 and the middle side part 15. Another crease 17 provides a line of flexibility between the middle side part 15 and the handle part 19. Yet another crease 14 shown provides a line of flexibility between the side wall 12 and the middle side 10 part 16. Still another crease 18 provides a line of flexibility between middle side part 16 and handle part 20.

It will be appreciated that although the present embodiment uses creases to define lines of flexibility, any line of flexibility might suffice, for example instead of a crease a score, i,e, a partial cut through the card, could alternatively be employed.

Referring now to FIG. 3 it can be seen that the provision of the various creases allows for outer container 1 to be folded between a number of configurations. The side panels 3, 4 are foldable relative to the base 5 such that the handle parts 19 and 20 are touching and the cavity defined within the inner container is substantially in the form of a triangular prism. Furthermore, as the base part 5 comprises a central crease, the outer container 1 may be further folded such that the base 5 is housed between the side panels 3, 4 where in the side panels 3 and 4 are substantially planar. Thus, the outer container may be folded into a configuration wherein it is substantially planar.

Referring now to FIGS. 4 to 6 and the attachment of the inner container 2 to outer container 1, by applying areas of adhesive 21 to the side panels 3, 4 and the base 5, the inner container 2 may be attached to the outer container 1.

The inner container 2 is preferably provided by a paper bag having a base 27, and four sides, 22, 23, 24, 25 defining an opening 26. In the present embodiment the inner container 2 is formed substantially in the 5 shape of a rectangular solid, but of course in other embodiments other shapes such as a cuboid shape might be appropriate, depending upon the configuration of the outer container.

Two opposing sides 24, 25 of the inner container 2 are provided with each comprising a line of 10 weakness, 28, 29. In the present embodiment each line of weakness 28, 29 is formed by a perforation running between the opening 26 and the base 27. In the present embodiment the lines of weakness 28, 29 runs the full distance between the opening 26 and the base 27, but it is conceivable in other embodiments that the lines of weakness might not run the full length, for example they might terminate at a point spaced from the base 27, or might be formed in other configurations.

Further, the line of weakness 28 divides side 24 into substantially equal sections 37, 38. Similarly, the line of weakness 29 divides side 25 into substantially equal sections 35, 36. In the present embodiment the lines of weakness 28, 29 are substantially perpendicular to the base (i.e. substantially parallel to side panels 3, 4 when the item of packaging has not been folded into a tray configuration). However, the lines of weakness could be at an angle. Furthermore, the lines of weakness 28, 29 need not divide sides 24, 25 into substantially equal parts, but could be offset from the respective centers of the sides.

FIG. 6 shows a schematic cross-section of how the inner container 2 is positioned in the outer container 1 such that the opposing sides 22, 23 and the base 27 of the inner container 2 are attached to the base 5 and the side panels 3, 4 of the outer container 1.

Evidently various different configurations of adhesive 21 may be employed to attach the inner container 2 to the outer container 1. Indeed other means of attachment could be employed.

FIG. 7 shows a schematic cross-section through the assembled item of packaging comprising both the inner container 2 and the outer container 1. As the outer container 1 is folded through its different configurations, so the inner container 2 is simultaneously folded.

FIGS. 8 and 9 each show a perspective view of the assembled item of packaging. As can be seen, in one configuration, cutaway sections 30, 31 located on the handle parts 19, 20 of the side panels 3, 4 of the outer container 1 may be positioned adjacent to each other so as to form means for carrying the item of packaging. The outer container 1 further comprises cutaway sections 32, 33 adapted to stabilize a beverage container (not shown) positioned in the outer container 1.

Turning to the item of packaging in use, items of food (not shown) may be placed within the inner container 2, and a beverage container (not shown) may be positioned in the outer container 1. A user may then fold the side panels 3 and 4 such that the handle parts 19, 20 of the side panels 3, 4 are adjacent to each other. The item of packaging may then be easily transported by grasping the cutaway sections 30, 31.

When the user wishes to access the contents of the inner container, and turning to FIGS. 11 to 13, they may fold the side panels 3, 4 away from each other. In doing so, as opposing sides of the inner container 2 are attached to side panels 3, 4, and owing to lines of weakness 28, 29, the inner container 2 is ripped open along two lines of weakness 28, 29. As the side panels 3, 4 are folded further, the tray configuration as shown in FIG. 13 is provided, wherein the side panels and the base are in substantially the same plane, and such that the contents of the inner container 2 are fully revealed. The user may then consume the contents of the inner container 2 unhindered, and with the aid of the outer container 1 acting as a tray.

As the lines of weakness 28, 29 are positioned substantially in the middle of the sides 24, 28 of the inner container 2, when the outer container has been folded into the tray configuration, sections 35, 36 of the side 25 and sections 37, 38 of the side 24 form a raised lip around the tray so as to reduce the likelihood of spillage of any of the contents of the chamber. Once the user has finished consumption, the inner container 1 may be folded and disposed of.

FIG. 14 shows a second embodiment of an item of packaging made in accordance with the present invention wherein the outer container does not comprises any cutaway sections adapted to stabilize a beverage container.

FIG. 15 shows a third embodiment of an item of packaging made in accordance with the present invention wherein instead of the base is defined between the side panels by respective creases, the base is instead formed as a bend and defined between the side panels by curves in the material that the base and side panels are made.

FIG. 16 shows a fourth embodiment of an item of packaging made in accordance with the present invention wherein instead of the base being formed from the same material of the side panels, the underside, i.e. bottom, of the inner chamber acts as the base.

In some embodiments other cutaway sections may be employed, such as opening 34 (shown in FIGS. 1 and 4 only) adapted for holding a straw. It is additionally noted and anticipated that although the device is shown in its most simple form, various components and aspects of the device may be differently shaped or slightly modified when forming the invention herein. As such those skilled in the art will appreciate the descriptions and depictions set forth in this disclosure or merely meant to portray examples of preferred modes within the overall scope and intent of the invention, and are not to be considered limiting in any manner.

This invention has other applications, potentially, and one skilled in the art could discover these. The explication of the features of this invention does not limit the claims of this application; other applications developed by those skilled in the art will be included in this invention.

While all of the fundamental characteristics and features of the invention have been shown and described herein, with reference to particular embodiments thereof, a latitude of modification, various changes and substitutions are intended in the foregoing disclosure and it will be apparent that in some instances, some features of the invention may be employed without a corresponding use of other features without departing from the scope of the invention as set forth. It should also be understood that various substitutions, modifications, and variations may be made by those skilled in the art without departing from the spirit or scope of the invention. Consequently, all such modifications and variations and substitutions are included within the scope of the invention as defined by the following claims. 

1. An item of food packaging comprising two opposing side panels and an inner chamber for holding food, wherein the item of packaging is adapted such that when in use the side panels may be folded away from each other so as to form a tray.
 2. The item of food packaging of claim 1 wherein the packaging is adapted such that when folding the side panels the inner chamber may simultaneously be ripped or folded open so as to provide access to its contents.
 3. The item of food packaging of claim 1 or 2 wherein the inner chamber is formed in the item of packaging such that when folding the side panels the inner chamber is simultaneously ripped or folded open.
 4. The item of food packaging of any preceding claim wherein the inner chamber is formed in the item of packaging such that when folding the side panels the inner chamber may be simultaneously ripped open along lines of weakness.
 5. The item of food packaging of any preceding claim wherein the item of packaging comprises a base located between the opposing side panels.
 6. The item of food packaging of claim 5 partly defined by two opposing walls, each wall being located between the side panels.
 7. The item of food packaging of claim 6 wherein at least one wall comprises at least one line of weakness.
 8. The item of food packaging of claim 6 or 7 wherein at least wall comprises a line of weakness that runs substantially perpendicularly to the base.
 9. The item of food packaging of any preceding claim wherein the inner chamber is defined by a bag positioned between the two side panels.
 10. The item of food packaging of claim 9 wherein the bag is attached to at least one side panels.
 11. The item of food packaging of claim 9 or 10 wherein the bag comprises four walls and a base.
 12. The item of food packaging of any of claims 9 to 11 wherein opposing walls of the bag are attached to the side panels.
 13. The item of food packaging of claim 12 wherein opposing walls of the bag are attached to the side panels by means of adhesive.
 14. The item of food packaging of any preceding claim adapted such that when in use and folded into a tray configuration the inner chamber forms a lip around at least part of the tray.
 15. The item of food packaging of any preceding claim wherein the side panels are substantially rigid.
 16. The item of food packaging of any preceding claim comprising a comestible product in the inner chamber.
 17. A method of serving food comprising the step of providing an item of food packaging as described above.
 18. An item of food packaging substantially as described herein with reference to the accompanying drawings. 